Sentinels&Vanguards (Semi-open, Attn: Alexlantis)

[Unified Western States]

OOC: This thread is mainly just for me and Alexlantis. However, if you have already been in my space elevator thread and know what the Sentinels and such are, then telegram me for an invite to this thread. And if you don't what the Sentinels are, you can look at the space elevator thread, but there is a lot there so I don't expect many people to bother reading all of it.

Here is the link to the space elevator thread. The only stuff you really have to read starts on pg. 10 and is between me and Alexlantis. http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=23443&start=225

"Immortal? We aren't immortal. We simply live much, much longer than you normals. The other Sentinels are slightly less youthful than me, but like I have said, I am the pinnacle of the Program."

"Ah, I see. Any other female Sents, or are you the only one?"

"I am not the only female, but I am the only female Sentinel in this division. Men are normally chosen since they are generally more responsive to genetic splicing."

"What do you mean? Can you explain? And do they have any choice in the matter?"

"A man's genetic code is normally more robust and easier to manipulate than a females. However, I was an exception to the rule. When they spliced me, I was found to be extremely robust. My genes were unique, I guess you could say. Two answer the second part, there are very, very few people who would willingly undergo the gene splicing. It is very painful and not pleasant at all."

[Unified Western States]

bump

[Alexlantis]

"I am not the only female, but I am the only female Sentinel in this division. Men are normally chosen since they are generally more responsive to genetic splicing."

"What do you mean? Can you explain? And do they have any choice in the matter?"

"A man's genetic code is normally more robust and easier to manipulate than a females. However, I was an exception to the rule. When they spliced me, I was found to be extremely robust. My genes were unique, I guess you could say. Two answer the second part, there are very, very few people who would willingly undergo the gene splicing. It is very painful and not pleasant at all."

"Ah, understood." Allan said, slightly cringing. Apparently there are downsides to the cool suit and living for centuries. "Are you invincible, just stronger and faster, or are the yellow eyes just a symbol of rank?"

[Unified Western States]

"Yellow eyes are the result of the genetic modifications. The gene splicing causes genetic irregularities as a side effect. Depending on what modifications were made, other things might be changed such as hair color, skin color or eye color."

[Alexlantis]

"But what changes are made other than longevity?"

[Unified Western States]

"Well, I can't tell you any specifics, nor do I want to. However, there are some things I can say. Our muscles are enhanced via...unique methods, our vision is perfect 20/20, and our mental capacity is nearly fifteen times a normal humans. Now, if you'll excuse me, your ten minutes are up. I have business to do."

[Alexlantis]

"Well, I can't tell you any specifics, nor do I want to. However, there are some things I can say. Our muscles are enhanced via...unique methods, our vision is perfect 20/20, and our mental capacity is nearly fifteen times a normal humans. Now, if you'll excuse me, your ten minutes are up. I have business to do."

Allan, growing bored of the subject anyway, left without arguments and proceeded with his "normal" life. Back to work, over to lunch, the workers singing, it was an ordinary day, the most ordinary one he'd had since first confronting the Commander.

[Unified Western States]

The Sentinel Commander watched Allan go. She picked up a radio and put it to a secure frequency.

"I told him everything you told me to."

"Good. So then he is satisfied and wont ask any more questions?"

"I believe so. He shouldn't be a problem anymore"

"Excellent. Than you may commence with the original operation."

"Perfect, perfect. Then we are finished with this. Project Vanguard will commence in three days. Make sure all the Sentinels are ready. The second half of Project Vanguard will be arriving in a few hours. Now, make sure that Allan doesn't get in the way."

"Yes sir. I will do as you said." The Sentinel Commander hung up and and walked out of the command room. She made her way to brick building and went into the bunker.

[Unified Western States]

It was the middle of the day, when everyone was outside eating lunch when the trucks rolled in. These were much bigger than the other trucks that had come in. These ones were painted a stark white and were extremely futuristic looking. The Sentinels had all gathered around them as they pulled into the parking lot. All the UWS workers had also stopped eating lunch and were watching what was going on. The sides of the trucks slid up and back and large, black crates were lowered on robotic arms. The Sentinels put them on carts and began moving them back to the old brick building. There were close to ten trucks, so it would take a while. The Sentinels who weren't moving the crates created a perimeter around the trucks and the cargo line. The Sentinel Commander was watching the whole operation from the center of the perimeter, right next to the trucks. Rumors swept through the watching crowd.

"What do you think is going on?"

"I don't know. Weapons maybe?"

Conversations like this circulated, escalating to theories of a deadly super-virus. No one knew what was actually going on, but speculations were plentiful.

OOC: Trucks look like this

[Alexlantis]

It was the middle of the day, when everyone was outside eating lunch when the trucks rolled in. These were much bigger than the other trucks that had come in. These ones were painted a stark white and were extremely futuristic looking. The Sentinels had all gathered around them as they pulled into the parking lot. All the UWS workers had also stopped eating lunch and were watching what was going on. The sides of the trucks slid up and back and large, black crates were lowered on robotic arms. The Sentinels put them on carts and began moving them back to the old brick building. There were close to ten trucks, so it would take a while. The Sentinels who weren't moving the crates created a perimeter around the trucks and the cargo line. The Sentinel Commander was watching the whole operation from the center of the perimeter, right next to the trucks. Rumors swept through the watching crowd.

"What do you think is going on?"

"I don't know. Weapons maybe?"

Conversations like this circulated, escalating to theories of a deadly super-virus. No one knew what was actually going on, but speculations were plentiful.

OOC: Trucks look like this

"Ey, ya think they're buildin' Sents with that or somethin? Seems like there's an endless supply of 'em." One Alexlantian worker remarked to a UWS worker. "Seems suspicious."

[Unified Western States]

One of the UWS workers leaned in close to Allan. "Ya know, somebody should go check out that brick building." He laughed, "But, ya know, nobody is stupid enough to go do that." He laughed again and went back to watching the Sentinels unload the large crates. Off the last two trucks came large beige boxes. They had the biohazard symbols in bright red on their sides and a warning beneath the symbols read:

Warning! Biological Mutagens Within. Do Not Touch Without Haz-Mat Equipment.

[Alexlantis]

One of the UWS workers leaned in close to Allan. "Ya know, somebody should go check out that brick building." He laughed, "But, ya know, nobody is stupid enough to go do that." He laughed again and went back to watching the Sentinels unload the large crates. Off the last two trucks came large beige boxes. They had the biohazard symbols in bright red on their sides and a warning beneath the symbols read:

Warning! Biological Mutagens Within. Do Not Touch Without Haz-mat Equipment.

"Hey, Jimmy's a bit brave. Well, rather dull in the head, but hey, he's the good kind. Ain't ya, Jim?" One worker said, turning to another.
The worker, named Jim, was steamed at this and replied. "At least I got's the guts!"
"Yeah, but you wouldn't last thirty seconds. They'd blow your head off!"
"I'm good at evasive maneuvers! I ducked quicker than all the others on several occasions!"
"Fine, but I betcha twenty you can't do it!"
"Thirty says I can!"
"Fifty, and you've got a deal."
"A'ight, fine!"
"It's a suicide mission, you'll never get out. They a'int like 'bots, they're cleverer." Allan said. "Only way you'd get in is with a suit, and you'll never get your hands on one."
"Hey, kid, listen: All I have to do is sneak in, get some evidence, and sneak out. I'll be out in two minutes, three minutes tops, a'ight?"

[Unified Western States]

The brick building had at one point been a hangar for boats under repair. It was large, at least ten stories tall and totally hollow. All of the windows had metal plates over them and a gate guarded by four Sentinels was the only entrance. The Sentinels carrying the boxes were cleared through and vanished into the building. The trucks were unloaded and silently drove away. The Sentinels holding the perimeter dispersed and the Commander vanished into the building. Meanwhile, the UWS workers were staring in somewhat awe at Jimmy.

"You're actually going to try and get in there? They'll kill you!!" One of the workers said to Jimmy.

"Look, we all would like to know what the hell is going on, but it's not worth risking your life over." Another said, "And besides, those boxes said Biological Mutagens. I wouldn't want to get get anywhere near that building. Who knows what the biological mutagen might be?"

[Alexlantis]

The brick building had at one point been a hangar for boats under repair. It was large, at least ten stories tall and totally hollow. All of the windows had metal plates over them and a gate guarded by four Sentinels was the only entrance. The Sentinels carrying the boxes were cleared through and vanished into the building. The trucks were unloaded and silently drove away. The Sentinels holding the perimeter dispersed and the Commander vanished into the building. Meanwhile, the UWS workers were staring in somewhat awe at Jimmy.

"You're actually going to try and get in there? They'll kill you!!" One of the workers said to Jimmy.

"Look, we all would like to know what the hell is going on, but it's not worth risking your life over." Another said, "And besides, those boxes said Biological Mutagens. I wouldn't want to get get anywhere near that building. Who knows what the biological mutagen might be?"

"Yeah, Jim, it ain't worth it! It's only fifty bucks and you don't have a snowflake's chance in hell of gettin' outta there alive! If the Sents don't get you, the biohazard will!" one Alexlantian worker tried to convey to Jimmy. However, he was as of yet still unconvinced, due to him asserting he wouldn't touch the biohazard. Allan stepped in, putting in a different point.
"Hey, listen, they're downright scary one-on-one when they have no intention at all to kill you. You'll be turned to a pile of ash before you can even blink, or worse! They'll probably dip you in acid alive or something."

[Unified Western States]

The UWS workers also tried to convince Jim not to go. They spewed out various reasons ranging from incarceration to being torn apart by wild dogs. Anything to stop Jim from making a foolhardy mistake. As this was going on, a large black limousine pulled into the lot. The Sentinel Commander had reappeared and waited by the limousine. The door slid open and a tall women with pitch black hair and and pale skin stepped out. She wore a broad hat and dark sunglass, with a form-fitting black dress. The Sentinel Commander actually saluted to her before leading the woman into the brick hangar.

"Who was that?"

"I don't know, haven't ever seen her before." The UWS workers murmured to each other.

"Whoever it was, they must be pretty important to get the Sent. leader to salute to her."

[Alexlantis]

The UWS workers also tried to convince Jim not to go. They spewed out various reasons ranging from incarceration to being torn apart by wild dogs. Anything to stop Jim from making a foolhardy mistake. As this was going on, a large black limousine pulled into the lot. The Sentinel Commander had reappeared and waited by the limousine. The door slid open and a tall women with pitch black hair and and pale skin stepped out. She wore a broad hat and dark sunglass, with a form-fitting black dress. The Sentinel Commander actually saluted to her before leading the woman into the brick hangar.

"Who was that?"

"I don't know, haven't ever seen her before." The UWS workers murmured to each other.

"Whoever it was, they must be pretty important to get the Sent. leader to salute to her."

The Alexlantian workers were also impressed, wondering who would have so much authority as to get a salute from any Sentinel, let alone the Sentinel Commander. Workers debated over whether to sing or play it cool, and if they sang, what to sing. Also, they tried to talk Jim out of it, including retracting their bets on the matter.

[Unified Western States]

11:00 PM

The noises were quiet, but still were loud enough to wake anyone up who was within a hundred feet of the brick hangar. The noises were hisses, drills whirring and sparks and the sounds of welding. There were a few cracks in the brick, tiny, but open enough so that anyone who was looking would have seen a bright light flickering from the inside. The main entrance had been sealed and a division of Sentinels were out there on standby. The UWS workers had, before going to sleep, made one last plead to Jim not to try anything stupid. They went to bed not knowing if he would listen or not. They ultimately decided that they had done all they could and that it was up to the Alexlantians to stop their friend.

[Alexlantis]

11:00 PM

The noises were quiet, but still were loud enough to wake anyone up who was within a hundred feet of the brick hangar. The noises were hisses, drills whirring and sparks and the sounds of welding. There were a few cracks in the brick, tiny, but open enough so that anyone who was looking would have seen a bright light flickering from the inside. The main entrance had been sealed and a division of Sentinels were out there on standby. The UWS workers had, before going to sleep, made one last plead to Jim not to try anything stupid. They went to bed not knowing if he would listen or not. They ultimately decided that they had done all they could and that it was up to the Alexlantians to stop their friend.

The Alexlantians did all they could, including stealing his boots and promising that they would take away his breakfast and lunch privileges if he went. Warnings, threats, all kinds of things were sent around, but Jim was determined and all the Alexlantian workers could do was bid him farewell and hope it ended as quickly and painlessly as possible for him. Jim silently headed out in dark clothing, finding a crack in the masonry where an excessive amount of light shone through. Wearing sneakers with some sort of sticky tar stuck to the soles and holding a rope with a hook on the end, he threw it up as far as he could and attempted to find the vent system on the roof.

[Unified Western States]

With a loud clank, the hook caught on a metal bar on the roof. The bar had been part of an old railing around the roof. Now it was no more than a rusting iron bar that was barely connected to the masonry it sat bolted to. The Sentinels looked around. The could have sworn they heard something. But, they had been ordered not to leave the gate, so they logged the noise, reported it to base security, and went back to guarding the main door.

[Alexlantis]

With a loud clank, the hook caught on a metal bar on the roof.

Jim clumsily scaled the wall, slowly inching up to the roof. Finding a vent, he estimated it's size and removed his shoes and jacket, leaving his slightly cold. However, he'd be inside and warm, so it had no meaning. Plus, cold was probably the least of his worries, if the rumors were true. Regardless, he wrestled the vent cover with a crowbar before it tore off and he slid in, slowly crawling through the tight space, crowbar in front in case any fan blades posed a danger.

[Unified Western States]

The vent he had entered had been out of use for close to forty years. The only real danger it posed was collapsing and spider webs, with were strung across it like little blockades. The vent was also very long. It ran the length of the building's ceiling with only small, tiny slits in the bottom. It had at one point been used for fume removal, but the grates that were inside the actual building had been sealed up and now the vent acted as a one-way passage from the roof to the sea. The vent stayed horizontal for about eighty feet, then suddenly did a drop of about forty feet, then leveled off again. However, there was an offshoot that had been sealed with a weak metal plate. If this offshoot was taken it was a gentle decline into an abandoned and forgotten storage room.

[Alexlantis]

The vent he had entered had been out of use for close to forty years. The only real danger it posed was collapsing and spider webs, with were strung across it like little blockades. The vent was also very long. It ran the length of the building with only small, tiny slits in the bottom. It had at one point been used for fume removal, but the grates that were inside the actual building had been sealed up and now the vent acted as a one-way passage from the roof to the sea. The vent stayed horizontal for about eighty feet, then suddenly did a drop of about forty feet, then leveled off again.

Jim regretted that he didn't hit the gym, didn't skip dessert, he regretted a lot of things at this point. He was crawling along when he suddenly felt the bar clang metal. He switched to feet first, lost balance, and plummeted to the bottom, a bar and some wood falling beneath him. He screamed and cursed as he plummeted, hitting the bottom with a loud thud. Several cracking and screeching noises were emitted, along with the sound of wood breaking. It, luckily, broke cleanly, but Jim swore he broke a bone. He crawled along, anyway, grateful for his size and the fact that there were no inclines so far and that, after awhile of crawling again, he could bend his leg and it seemed flat and drop-less ahead.

[Unified Western States]

He came to the big drop off at the end. It was the forty foot one, and there was no way he could survive another drop like that. However a section of the vent next to him was extremely loose and sounded like it was hollow behind it.

[Alexlantis]

He came to the big drop off at the end. It was the forty foot one, and there was no way he could survive another drop like that. However a section of the vent next to him was extremely loose and sounded like it was hollow behind it.

Jim, not being that stupid, kicked the hollow, loose piece of metal out and carefully made his way through. Call it fate, call it luck, call it drinking milk like air, he had survived this far.

[Unified Western States]

The new passage turned sharply to the right before beginning a gentle decline for a good eighty to one hundred feet. At the end, however, Jim would find that thick iron bars hindered his progress.